TO wish someone a life in “interesting times” is among the most backhanded of blessings. It is often said to be an ancient Chinese curse, but its true origins seem ambiguous. Whatever the background of the expression, it is one to which many Scots, these days, can relate, particularly those of a pro-independence persuasion. For good or ill, we certainly live in interesting times.

After weeks of strong polling, the SNP had a difficult March. Most of the independence movement heaved a sigh of relief when Nicola Sturgeon was found not to have breached the Ministerial Code. Some allowed themselves a chuckle the next day, when an ill-judged Tory-led vote of no confidence only cemented her position further. The Unionist parties appeared to have overplayed their hand and ended up a busted flush.

The SNP emerged from the chaos relatively unscathed. Faults were highlighted, but with thousands of new members joining, and the path finally clear to launch a positive election campaign, it looked like relatively plain sailing ahead …

Enter Alex Salmond. The launch of a new pro-independence party so close to the election is undoubtedly disruptive. Depending on one’s perspective, it is scary or exciting, exasperating or liberating, a pain in the neck or a breath of fresh air.

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It might boost pro-independence representation in parliament. It might see the SNP fall short of a majority. It will certainly give the media something to play with, as soon as they figure out what to make of it. But whatever the launch of Alba means to any particular one of us, it is here, and we must learn quickly to come to terms with it.

What does that mean for those with suspicions or reservations about the party? In short, it means live and let live. It means keeping the eyes on the prize and focusing criticism on the Unionist parties. It means heeding our grannies’ advice and, if we have nothing nice to say, saying nothing at all. Whatever any one of us thinks about Alba and whatever our concerns about split votes, turning on each other, five weeks before an election, can only harm our shared cause.

The events of March gave the Unionist parties what might have been the Union’s last throw of the dice. The desperation to break the SNP was tangible, with politicians falling over themselves to demand resignations and elements of the media salivating over the supposed clash of the independence titans.

It was negative, ugly, desperate, and it died with the Hamilton Report. But make no mistake, if the Unionist establishment sees any opportunity to revive it, they will.

Not long ago, the UK was viewed as a safe pair of hands. It might not have been particularly attractive, but it was considered safe. That may have been what carried it over the line in 2014, with undecided voters deciding to stick with nurse for fear of worse. But what has happened since?

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Scotland has been pulled from the EU against its will, our people robbed of citizenship and the right to live, work and study across Europe. Our reputation has been tainted internationally, our exports have suffered, and several industries now face the prospect of trying to rebuild after the worst pandemic in decades, with two hands tied behind their backs. Holyrood’s powers have come under threat from a UK Government led by a party that the Scottish electorate has not voted for since the 1950s. All the while, the protests of our elected representatives at Westminster have been met with mockery.

Scotland has been called an economic basket case, a one-party state, a banana republic. Our efforts to manage Covid-19 have been derided, while representatives of the British state have undermined our lockdown rules, travelling north to conduct tours and photo shoots in a push to increase the visibility of the British establishment and instil a sense of Britishness that most of us simply do not identify with. Is a bombardment of Union flags what Scotland needs right now?

WE could turn our attention to getting our EU citizenship back. We could ensure a properly funded, publicly owned NHS. We could prioritise “bairns, not bombs”. We could oppose cuts to international aid. We could welcome immigrants, instead of shutting them out. We could do all sorts of things to improve our lives and those of others. Instead, we’ve got Union Jackery.

What do the UK parties have to offer the people of Scotland, other than flags, insults and empty promises? Do they offer any positive vision? Do they feed Scotland’s potential? Do they instil hope of a better tomorrow? Or do they limit their ambitions for Scotland routinely, for fear that excessive successes might further foster pro-independence sentiment?

Securing a pro-independence majority in May is important not just because of the opportunities it offers, but because the alternative is unthinkable. Let’s end the infighting and concentrate on saving our collective future.

Some of us will vote SNP-SNP. Some will vote SNP-Green. Some will vote SNP-Alba, but whatever we plan to do, let’s always keep in mind our common goal.

We have a month to win or lose independence. It is that simple. There is no doubt we live in interesting times. And they are sure to become even more so after May 6. Let’s make sure they are interesting for the right reasons, with our country’s future in our own hands.